title: First application of comet assay in blood cells of Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta).
abstract: The aim of this study was to validate the comet assay in erythrocytes of Caretta caretta, a species never investigated for genotoxicity. We studied 31 loggerhead sea turtles from three Italian marine rescue centres. Peripheral blood samples were collected from all the animals and the comet assay applied. All comet cells were analysed using two methods: visual scoring and computer image analysis. The % DNA in tail mean value ± SD and Damage Index were 21.56 ± 15.41 and 134.83 ± 94.12, respectively. A strong and statistically significant statistically correlation between the two analytical methods was observed (r = 0.95; p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the comet assay is a useful method to detect the possible effects of genotoxic agents in loggerhead sea turtle and to increase the knowledge about the ecotoxicological health status of this threatened species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: caliani4@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Caliani
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Campani
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giannetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marsili
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casini
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fossi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020552:Comet Assay; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014426:Turtles / Q000097:blood*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Blood; Caretta caretta; Comet assay; DNA damage; Erythrocytes; Genotoxicity; Reptiles